The Chicago Blackhawks today reactivated RW Adam Burish from the injured reserve list, and placed defenseman Brent Sopel on the long-term injured reserve.

Aside from the fact this is happy news to those of us at HOCKEENIGHT who have nothing but love for Burish, and have been pretty hard on Sopel, this is a good move because placing Sopel on the long term list frees half of his $2.33MM hit against the salary cap. Sopel has been a spare part ever since James Wisniewski came off the same long term IR.

Burish has no points this season, but has been an extremely effective defensive forward, especially on the penalty kill. It would be safe to assume that Craig Adams will be scratched in favor of Burish for tonight's game in Detroit.